From farm girl to pageant queen: Bioinformatics senior competes for Miss America crown
Shayna McQuinn
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Features
Bauer, a bioinformatics major, had to take a year off from school to travel and prepare for the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, which will be aired on TLC on Jan. 26.
With many accomplishments under her wing, from Miss Douglas County 2007, Career Resource Center Student Assistant, and Teammates Spokesperson and Coordinator, she continues to hold a tight bond with her family and friends.
"I am able to juggle my relationships with family and friends by talking on the phone as I am driving," Bauer said. "I am also living out of my car this year, and I stay with family and friends wherever I may travel across the state."
Emily, one of Bauer's three sisters, is also a performer. Along with a talent in singing and dancing, she is also an athlete. The two sisters share a meaningful relationship and friendship.
"I am so proud of Emily, she has so many qualities that I admire," Ashley Bauer said. "She is very kind and is an extremely dedicated athlete. I only wish for her the best in the future. I am not sure if she will pursue the title of Miss Nebraska in the future, but whatever decision she makes, my family and I will fully support her."
Although performing has become a main staple in Bauer's life, she continues to handle the ups and downs of self-confidence and competing with other women.
"I love competing," Bauer said. "My favorite part of singing is the performance."
Despite this, Bauer said she still needs mental preparation before singing on stage.
"I have learned how to be very comfortable with my strengths and my weaknesses and not to compare myself with other girls competing," she said. "Of course, it is hard to always do this, but I try to focus on the things that make me unique and the strides I have made in my preparations."
Bauer has met some of her best friends while competing for Miss Nebraska and keeps in touch with them often. During her last three years of schooling, she was regularly preparing and competing for Miss Nebraska. Her life between homework and class was not exactly that of an average college student.
With many accomplishments under her wing, from Miss Douglas County 2007, Career Resource Center Student Assistant, and Teammates Spokesperson and Coordinator, she continues to hold a tight bond with her family and friends.
"I am able to juggle my relationships with family and friends by talking on the phone as I am driving," Bauer said. "I am also living out of my car this year, and I stay with family and friends wherever I may travel across the state."
Emily, one of Bauer's three sisters, is also a performer. Along with a talent in singing and dancing, she is also an athlete. The two sisters share a meaningful relationship and friendship.
"I am so proud of Emily, she has so many qualities that I admire," Ashley Bauer said. "She is very kind and is an extremely dedicated athlete. I only wish for her the best in the future. I am not sure if she will pursue the title of Miss Nebraska in the future, but whatever decision she makes, my family and I will fully support her."
Although performing has become a main staple in Bauer's life, she continues to handle the ups and downs of self-confidence and competing with other women.
"I love competing," Bauer said. "My favorite part of singing is the performance."
Despite this, Bauer said she still needs mental preparation before singing on stage.
"I have learned how to be very comfortable with my strengths and my weaknesses and not to compare myself with other girls competing," she said. "Of course, it is hard to always do this, but I try to focus on the things that make me unique and the strides I have made in my preparations."
Bauer has met some of her best friends while competing for Miss Nebraska and keeps in touch with them often. During her last three years of schooling, she was regularly preparing and competing for Miss Nebraska. Her life between homework and class was not exactly that of an average college student.
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